An LAPD helicopter fired two missiles yesterday
into a crowded intersection in South Central LA today, killing 6 and injured
23 in an attack on the vehicle of a suspected drug smuggler.

The target of the assassination attempt,
Carlos Diaz, escaped with minor injuries, jumping from the Hummer moments
before the first missile hit. A second missile followed within seconds,
instantly killing Diaz's bodyguard and driver, and a mother and child
in the car.

Included among thecasualties were
an elderly Israeli couple, prompting Prime Minister Sharon to advise the
LAPD that he was "troubled" by the attack, and questioning whether
such actions really served to increase LA's security.

Lawyers for the LAPD responded with a statement asserting
that Los Angeles law enforcement agencies could simply not afford to wait
until these criminals, or "ticking bombs", actually commit the
acts they are plotting.

In a clarifying statement issued earlier today, Sharon
appeared to back off his earlier criticism, due to the many complaints
he received last night during a dinner sponsored by the powerful pro-LAPD
lobby in Israel.

A poll taken soon after the failed assassination
attempt revealed that 62% "agreed strongly" with the suggestion
that Israel should immediately stop supplying the LAPD with helicopter
gunships and missiles until their policy of so-called "targeted killings"
is repudiated.